Monday, August 28, 2017

Sunday Drives -

Summer is so very quickly making a shift, a transition, and beautifully heading into autumn.

I can feel it in the mornings when I step outside to take Sadie for her morning business walk. The dew on the grass is just a bit chilly. The leaves in the trees are acquiring a faint hue of yellow.

I can only imagine how beautiful it will be up here – my first fall in the mountains of southwest Virginia where the altitude is just a bit higher, and trees are plentiful.

It won’t be long until fireplaces are blazing – hot chocolate and warmer “stick-to-your-ribs” kinds of meals are on the horizon.

And best of all:

Pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING!

But while the day was still mild, mostly cloud-covered with intermittent sun, we decided to break away from the cabin and get out on the road.

Our route in blue!

The black dot at the bottom right is the cabin. You can see how “just across the border” from the North Carolina state line we are. Our directions to friends are “Hit the state line and take the first left…..”

I ride shotgun. I have no desire to power up a bike myself – I want to enjoy the scenery, and besides, all of these hairpin curves scare me! We only sparked pegs on the pavement once, and I’m not a fan! LOL!

Why are there no pictures? Because I needed a break and I kept my cell phone in the saddle bags. It was an unplugged kind of afternoon, and cell phones and wallets were only with us in case of emergency. And should we need to be identified!

After lunch in Damascus, we headed back, taking a different route, following the upper loop and coming back through Troutdale. It was a beautiful 75 mile ride, and the first one I had been on in many many months.

Stripping it up Stripology style!

Needing a bit of a distraction, I headed to my bin of recycled shirt parts up here with some block making in mind after yesterday’s Quiltville Quote background inspiration. I didn’t need much fabric for each block, and I wanted to see what I could accomplish with the Stripology ruler.

I’m cutting strips in two widths. I don’t have a die for the Accuquilt that would do that, and I tend to only use the Accuquilt when I am cutting a whole tray full stacked many layers thick.

This works great for odd pieces!

Different widths for block piecing.

And some strings for the string bin.

Reasons to love the Stripology ruler:

Accuracy! These strips came out great because the plastic is heavy and sturdy enough to not wiggle while I’m cutting. The fabulous Creative Grids gripper texture on the bottom of the ruler keeps things from sliding.

Portability! You can take this ruler anywhere where traveling with the Accuquilt isn’t always possible.

Speed! Because I didn’t have to move and slide a rotary ruler to cut each strip, I could quickly move down my fabric cutting the widths I needed with no time needed to move and re-measure.

I’ve got these in 2 sizes, and I like the smaller one when working with smaller cuts of fabric.

I was only using these as Leaders & Enders (My apologies to this year's Checkerboard Rails leader & ender blocks being pushed aside temporarily!!) while working on this year’s mystery project but I can see that I will continue with these as they are so cute.

6 by hand quilting time!

I needed something SEW SIMPLE in my life. The other looming deadlines are insane, and I will get back to them today, but it did my heart & soul good to just do some simple blocks from recycled shirt fabrics.

Yes, this is on the back burner, but a close back burner!

Are you interested in making this block? I can put it up as a tutorial and add it to thefree patterns tab, but there won’t be a full quilt shown from me for a long while, just a block tutorial. Leave me a comment in the comments section below.

My earlier similar Jacob’s Ladder version!

I finished the hand quilting on this little one in 2006, imagine my surprise when it resurfaced in a google search for Jacob’s Ladder/Sugar Bowl quilts! Yes, the two blocks are related, but not exactly the same.,

Jacob’s ladder has 5 4 patches, with the dark chain of the 4 patches going UP through the ladder formed by the 4 half-square triangle units. In the Sugar Bowl block, 2 of those corner 4 patches are replaced with solid squares, the light half of the triangle units point toward the center (opposite of Jacob’s Ladder) and the darks in the 4 patches go side ways across the block, not up the ladder. It’s a subtle difference obtained with fabric value, and rotation of units, and it makes for an interesting change.

Floribunda, also from the Free Patterns tab is a Jacob's Ladder version in a larger size. See the difference between the two?

It’s all in the value placement!

In the Sugar Bowl block, I love the shape made by the light squares in the 4 patches and the light triangles in the half-square triangle units coming together.

Let me know, and I’ll get this tutorial written up.

Last night’s View from my hoop.

I know WHY this got waylaid. those South African Shweshwe fabrics (The chocolate brown ones) and a bit harder to needle and I was having a difficult time keeping my stitches small and even. I decided to give up on the small tiny stitches, just get a rhythm and go with it.

I’m at the cabin today, headed home tomorrow. The hubster is off to the dentist – in the midst of all of this, he’s been dealing with a toothache over the weekend (Always happens over a weekend! My tooth BROKE over memorial day weekend) and he is off to see the dentist in nearby Jefferson, NC.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how grateful I am for your comments after yesterday’s heartfelt overload. Thank you so much for your words of support, and most of all the words of kindness from those who have walked this road with an ill loved one. I’m not alone. I know that. I feel lifted and supported and cared for. Thank you.

Quiltville Quote of the Day!

Vintage quilt top from my collection found in Texas.

I've saved this quote for a long time as it really spoke to me. In other words, don’t pull the plug on your dreams just because you’ve hit a rough patch.

It’s Monday. A brand new week ahead. What are you going to do with it?

The ride in the fresh air sounds like excellent medicine. I was in Nacogdoches, TX listening to the rain on the roof of a rodeo arena where my granddaughter's softball camp had to be moved to at Stephen F Austin. When she got in the car the first words out of her mouth were "I have cow poop on my tummy". We got her where he could wipe off and change clothes before the trip home to Arkansas LOL Please, please do the tutorial. Your colorway is so peaceful. I am resting today and have a binding to put on a charity quilt. Tomorrow back to the UFO's of quilt mountain.I did deliver a Jack and Jill quilt (Missouri Star Quilt pattern) in Red/Black/Gray and White to my Niece In-law in Texarkana, TX on the way home.

Yes, please, for the sugar bowl blocks tutorial. So glad you got some decompress time yesterday. As so many have said, even though I've never met you, you feel like a best friend. We are all here for you, and continued prayers and thoughts for your family.

I'm glad that you had some down time, just you and your DH. You asked for some show recommendations, I've been watching 'The Doris Day Show' on my Amazon Prime. It's nice old television. All conflict is resolved in 24 minutes. I've been having it play while unpacking. I know it's dorky and there is some singing but it's low-key in a keyed up world.

I appreciate you and all you do Bonnie. You are an inspiration, and not just the quilty kind.

My vote is YES to the sugar bowl block tutorial! Loved the look of that quilt when you used it as a QV quote background.

We also enjoyed driving Rt. 58 from Mouth of Wilson to Damascus (and then on to Rt. 133 to Shady Valley so we could drive the curves on 421 - The Snake) last September when we were down for a gathering of Miatas in Boone. There are so many good roads in southern VA, eastern TN and western NC to drive and I wish we could get down there more often.

Would love block pattern. Have a new to me machine not sure if I actually need it...500j looks like the one you have on this page not sure how to put photo up. And sometimes just cutting scraps and making a few blocks is very relaxing

It's hard to keep a good woman down. I'm glad your spirits have been lifted by the comments of friends. Every day is a new day and brings new gifts (or challenges). All we can do is meet them the best we can; friends make that an easier task.

The block you showed above is very nice and it would be lovely to have a tutorial if you have the time. You are a true teacher - always wanting to share with others and I have learned so much from you.

With everything already on your plate, you volunteer to write a tutorial!?? The overload may be affecting your judgment and we are the beneficiaries. I love those blocks and must make that quilt. Oh, wait, I love the blocks you posted last week and must make that quilt. Oh, wait (insert every. single. block. you. post) and I must make that quilt. You are killing me here, Bonnie, trying to keep up with you. LOL!

I'm glad you had a good "unplugged" day yesterday. I did too...sitting in a boat on the lake and fishing. We need these days to recharge ourselves sometimes. I'd like to have the tutorial...but please don't feel pushed or rushed to do it. We can all just be patient!

Sugar bowl tutorial sounds great to me! But I can surely wait, too! I'm not sure I'd ever get done what you get done! Am jealous of the ladies in the west - Medford, Brookings and Grants Pass - who will be able to see and learn from you! YOU are on my bucket list!!

I am so glad you were able to get out and take your mind off some of the things going on in your life right now. Also glad you were able to get a little no stress sewing done. Feeling stressed is normal for what you have going on, but it is important to remember to take care of yourself also. I have been praying for your brother. I love seeing the things you make and have several of your books. Yes, I would love to have the pattern. I love the things you have made from shirts and have been collecting shirts.

Yes, Bonnie to the Sugar Bowl block tutorial. Good to see that you had a comforting day away from all that is happening. Thanks for all you do for us and your great spirit. It uplifts us with your words of wisdom.

Love the block and would appreciate a tutorial on the free patterns. Please do not get too frustrated with people's comments that lack a filter. I really enjoy your blog that includes parts of your life along with your quilting. I am amazed at what you are able to accomplish each and every day!

Looks like a wonderful day. My sweetie and I use to ride, we loved it. We rode all over and never trailered. Since we live in the Midwest at least we are somewhat centralized :) I just had to see the redwoods so one summer we packed up, went thru the Badlands, Black Hills, Yellowstone, across Idaho, over to Crater Lake in Oregon and down to the Avenue of the Giants! From there we took a more southern route thru Lake Tahoe,Nevada and several of the National Parks in Utah, then it was on home to Illinois.

Also, a big yes to a tutorial on the Sugar Bowl block :) My dad recently passed away and I have all his shirts with a quilt in mind. I hope to be able to make a couple smaller ones to give to my brother and sister, but first will be one for Mom! I have all your books so I am sure I will be able to figure something out.

Thank you for your "giving" (the sugar bowl tutorial) when you are stressed with so many things. I don't write a lot, but I DO wish your brother well and I am sorry there are so many unkind people around. Thank you too for not giving up because of their uncaring/unthinking comments. You are a special kind lady. Bless you. Yes please, I would love the sugar bowl tutorial. Liz

Your bike ride sounds just the ticket to get over that nastiness, your blocks are just gorgeous great use of the shirting fabrics, unfortunately the only ones my hubby gets are white or pale solids as he works for a bank they have to be smart shirts so no fun plaids for me lol.Your hand quilting is looking so nice would you be able to do a tutorial for it Love and quilty hugs Anne xx

My vote is for a block pattern tutorial! we can feel the autumn creeping up on us in Idaho too, so it's time for me to have a plan for the scraps (my autumn go-to piecing choice). That would be a perfectly wonderful block for this year. Thank you!

Yes, would love it you very kind and generous person!!! That and your Star Chain block will be perfect for 2 more quilts to use up my homespun stash and get out of that phase!! Thank-you and take care. Big hugs and positive thoughts to you and yours.

From Linda Marglon - YES PLEASE - love those sugar bowl blocks! Those are Tiny 4 patches are too cute!And quilt cam would be great too, the last one was life changing 😉 Been trying to learn to web for a while. You explained it very well!Thanks Bonnie!

Glad you took time for yourself to decompress!I had fun making Florabunda for my cousin... and she is thrilled with it. So glad to see she had it in the car with her to use while she traveled from FL to NY to visit her kids and grandkids.Yes... I would love the measurements for sugarbowl!HM

Well I guess all of us lurkers are just going to have to start posting everyday so that you are always reminded of how much you are loved and appreciated! Used to ride years ago and loved the feeling of the air blowing away all the stress. That looks like a nice ride through the mountains.

When you have the time or the itch to write up a tut on the sugar bowl block that would be great! I have a bunch of shirts that I deboned that I had picked up at a thrift store when I was looking for denim for a nephews quilt. Did them all at once - what a mess, but the quilt is almost done and the shirts have been patiently waiting for the right pattern.

Bonnie my darling, you know we hang on to your every comment so you know darn well we just want everything you put out there. We are so grateful (I hope I speak for the majority of your wonderful followers) for everything you teach us. Keep up your wonderful work, we are so appreciative of everything you do. Love to you and to MARK. Thoughts and prayers are always with him.Love from Linda (UK).

Starting my morning a little late, but with you as always, Bonnie. So nice to "hear" you in a better mood today. You bring the sunshine every day and when you hurt, we hurt. You are such an inspiration to all of us. Yes to the pattern when you find time. I think I can do it without a pattern by just looking at the size of the half square triangles on your mat. Looks easy enough to figure out, but your directions would make it foolproof. Thanks for all you do for us.

Bonnie, I am remiss in letting you know how much I enjoy your posts. I am not as into scraps as you are, but I love your quilts and your other posts. I am also keeping your brother and family in my prayers. These are all things that I should let you know. There are probably lots of us who enjoy all you do for us and don't let you know. I am not usually one to make comments.

You should also realize that those that may try to make you feel stupid, are the stupid and rude ones. We can't always agree with everyone, but we should all try to be as kind, loving and generous as you are.

Being able to read your Quiltville site and blog is what has kept my interest in trying to become a quilter active and inspired. DH and I are slowyly working on the Tumbler leader ender project. He will now go off and look for a fat quarter to add to "HIS" quilt, while I chat and have a yard or so cut as we travel, stopping at Row by Row shops. Your Hexi project inspired me to get one started for my summer handwork. I have my current bits for that packed into a Witman's Chocolate 2 lb (empty) tin and it is a very nice self contained project. Your airplane work is such an inspiration. We may be slow, less skilled and pretty quiet, but we are RAMPANT in our support for the work you do and for what your guidance means to us.

Another "yes" vote for the Sugar Bowl block tutorial. Thank you for making the offer, especially right now when some of your readers have been so rude and thoughtless in their comments. I am sorry you have had to suffer with that in the midst of all the other stress in your life. Having been a caregiver for a spouse with cancer, as well as having had two deaths in the family, I've heard it all. It's amazing what people will say to your face, and I'm sure it's even worse online. Both you and your brother (and his family) are in my prayers

So kind of you to offer a tutorial on the Sugar Bowl block. Another yes vote from me! It looks pretty simple, squares , half square triangles and four patches, but I am sure you have some tips and tricks...you always do! I learn something from every one of your projrcts. Thsnk you!

So glad to hear that you blew the cobwebs out by going for a ride. It has done you a world of good. I feel for you with your concern for your brother. It is much harder watching a loved one going through the horrors of chemo & radiotherapy than it is doing it. I have been on both sides of the fence & both are the pits. At least when you are experiencing it yourself you know exactly where you are at, but looking on you imagine the worst & feel so useless. Just keep sending your brother loving messages, he probably doesn't feel up to talking or seeing anyone & just wants to sleep. Stay positive, each day is a day closer to the end of the treatment. The Dr's told me they take 6 weeks making you ill to cure you then you take 6 months recovering. You are all in my thoughts & prayers. Thank you for all your wonderful scraps, keep them coming. Your energy & drive is amazing.CheersPam

Great post Bonnie!... I would not drive the wiggle-woggle road either!...We are all grateful for your blog and any negative comments don't deserve your time!... I'd love the pattern when you can get to it!.. Keep the faith! Love and Prayers for you and the family!...Blessings,Fran

Yes, please, a tutorial is very much appreciated. I need a new way of using up my homespun stash. We don't have bears in NE Kansas so I enjoyed watching yours. Hope they don't make a habit of visiting too often. Also, all the best to your brother. You have my prayers and positive thinking coming your way. Thank you for the inspiration in all quilty and none-quilty things.

Yes please dear Bonnie I would like a tutorial about the sugar bowl block, you are a very kind person, and always a real pleasure to read your Facebook posts or watch your quick cam videos, you are definitly my mentor about quilting...hugs to you :-)

I'm not in the habit of posting comments but I would like to say how much I liked today's quote and please, please ignore your critics. You add joy and positivity daily to my life and oh, so many others.

Would love this new block, once again thanks. and just to let you know I lost my husband a short time ago after 17 years of steady decline in his health. So yes, I know about worry and dread in illness. God be with you and your related family. Forget about the other people that don't need to be in your life.Love

Thanks so much for going another mile for us devoted quilters....yes to the tute on the Sugar Bowl block....I've been saving shirt plaids for a H.S. graduation quilt for a young man in my church & this will fit the bill. There will be 12 graduates during one year so it is imperative that I work ahead on ideas & blocks for each individual.. this is a fun mission. Just a quick thought about the negative comments...pray for them as they are miserable & don't know it yet. Please don't waste your precious time as you don't need to carry that burden. I'm so thankful for all that you share and I consider you a daily source of inspiration. You have given me the encouragement to hand quilt a quilt I made in my Mother's memory of her passing 7 yrs ago @ nearly 100 years old and very alert to the end of her life. I have put it on the back shelf & now I am going to hand quilt it & enjoy the memories. Thanks so much, Bonnie...my best wishes for you & your whole family.

Sounds like you ride with the hubster was just what you needed! I'm glad you were able to put your cell phone away and unplug! Keeping your brother in my prayers. Glad to hear his attitude is positive because attitude is crucial. Id love love to see you write the pattern for the sugar bowl block. It is so cute and the shirt plaids are wonderful in it. I have a pile of shirts and this would be great! Happy Anniversary. I love the picture on FB. You both look so young but happy and looking forward to a wonderful life together!

Yes please Bonnie for the tutorial! I'm glad you are feeling much better today. Your blog is the first thing I read each morning with my breakfast. The newspaper can wait. Please tell hubster no more pegs sparkling the pavement. That sounds too scary to me. Kia kaha (this means 'keep strong' in NZ Maori)With love from NZ. Tina Mills

Wow that was a wild ride yesterday! I have never been on a motorcycle,not even a rider. I am impressed! The scrap on the pavement, I would be off😎😲😬😳! The change did you good though. Yes to the block tutorial for the sugar bowl block! Just love your color plaid combos. Yea whoo! Another type of fabric to collect, shirting! Small amount in my collection. Isn't that to bad!LOL😂🙃I am such a fabricolic❣️❣️❤️Not just quilting fabric,but dress fabric too! And if I am near a fabric sale, I am in a danger zone😜😍😋🙈 I wish I could sew as fast as you. Ok wonder women, off you go sewing. Have a wonder day, see you tomorrow. Prayers continue for Mark and your family🙏🙏🙏🙏🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝👣👣👣👣❣️❣️

Yes the tutorial would be wonderful, I could probably figure it out but seeing it explained as only you can do would be the icing on the cake.Glad you got away for a while and enjoyed some down time, we all need that sometimes.And by the way I so enjoy reading about your everyday life please do not let some mean spirited individuals get to you, most of us love you and care even if we have only met you briefly or not at all. Prayers for our brother.

I so miss riding the motorcycle through the hill country in Texas in the spring with my dad. The smell of the bluebonnets is intoxicating. Sadly, he got to the point that his age caught up with him and he could no longer balance the bike safely, and traffic got more dangerous. I will not get on a cruising bike with the hubs...he rode dirt bikes and tends to lean a little too far over for my comfort....thought about that when you mentioned the foot pegs hitting the ground.lol..I won't let the hubs drive my car either...he only gets to drive his truck. I will fly with him. There's no traffic up there, so he's safe! So glad you got to spend that time and get away from it all...definitely makes a difference to reset.

Love the new pattern...would love to see that tutorial. Looking for something for my shirt scraps and I really like this one.

Some people GEES LOUISE get a life is all I can say. A pattern for sugar bowl would be great. I just finished a scrappy mts. Gifted to cancer council here in Sydney. I know where youare. My brother is also batteling. . He's in Nevada.

I, too, ride shotgun with my husband on our motorcycle - great to get out once in a while to see the sights and smell the smells! We live in CA, but have done two trips back East - one where we rode the Dragon Tails thru the Smoky Mtns - definite peg sparker! I'm interested in the Sugar Bowl block.Please know how appreciated you are. I've followed your blog for years and your generosity in both your time, efforts with the blog, and all the free patterns/leader Enders/Mysteries is amazing. That you were hurt by careless/rude comments distresses me. Delete them immediately and without apology! Prayers for your brother.

yes please for the tutorial on the Sugar Bowl block. Thanks also for mentioning the other two block tutorials. I'll look them up as well and print them out as I would be interested in comparing the three blocks side by side.

Yes, please to the sugar bowl pattern! I am now putting those rulers on my Christmas wish list! I am glad for your afternoon unplugged fresh air get away with your hubby. Just what your spirit needed. I put your brother on my little town's all denomination prayer list.

Thank you for your creativity and willingness to give yet more instruction. You are amazing. I wish your brother wellness and the rest of your family too. It is so difficult to go thru what you have with your brother. My Dads Doctor said, we save some and we lose some and we never know what side of the coin it will be. I hope with all my heart you'll get the winning toss. My Dad lost. He's been gone for 5 years and all the stuff we went thru for 2 1/2 years comes back so easy when I hear of your struggles. My love and care is being sent with prayers for you. -Rhonda

Bonnie! I love you, love your blog, love your quilted sayings, love your sugar bowl quilt and ALL your scrap quilts. After reading yesterday's post, what I DO NOT love is all the negativity flowing around our world, especially online. Whatever happened to "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!" and the Golden Rule ??? I just have one more SHOULD NOT for you, Bonnie - you SHOULD NOT let peoples' nastiness get in your head and upset you! You are awesome!PEOPLE!!! THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU HIT THAT BUTTON!! It's ok to have an opinion, but try wording it gently and think of how you would feel if someone said that to you! If you can't be nice to our Dear Bonnie, please go away.Thank you, I'm getting down off my soapbox now. ;-) Happy quilting, everyone!

Yes would love that tutorial. I have been picking up men's shirts for a project such as this. I have my Dad's shirts saved and he has been gone over twenty years, and I added my husbands shirts to that collection when he passed eight years ago. Looking forward to this one

In the midst of all the the issues that you are facing , your brother ( my prayers are being sent, nasty remarks that are NOT appreciated by anyone -- my mom always said if you can't say something kind , don't say anything!) you offer to post a pattern( and yes please and thank you) and quilt away . All I can say is God Bless You!

Thank you, Bonnie, for all your generosity. I am working on Garden Party and Tumalo Trail simultaneously, since I started both of them at your wonderful classes in Utah in July. I have all the Posey blocks made (144 for large quilt). I decided to make the 9-patches for Tumalo since the fabric strips are the same size, and dumped out all over my work table. I can't stop because if I leave it for any time, I might not remember what I was doing later on! I am having so much fun, thanks again for all your teaching and inspiration. I would love to have a tutorial for Sugar Bowl. Blessings and prayers for you and your brother at this difficult time. Close families are so important at times like these.

Bonnie, so sorry life has been so crummy for you. I can still hear my Mom telling me and my siblings....if you don't have something nice to say....don't say it. And I would find myself giggling inside when I would say it to my children because I remember thinking...OMG....I've turned into my mother. It's unfortunate that that lesson was not learned by all people. BTW...My copy of Scraps and Shirttails came today. Yay! You certainly made my day a cheerier one. Thank you! Thank you for all that you do for us. And please know that Mark and your family are in my prayers. ❤️❤️❤️

I love the quote of the day! I have always admired Elisabeth Eliot; what a lady! It's good to know that you feel lifted and encouraged. If you want to make the time to post the tutorial, I know that many of us would be pleased. By looking at your pink example, I think that I have it figured out and am tempted to give that block a whirl. When making our guild's 'giving quilts', I like to experiment with different block patterns. I get to dabble at a new block without taking on another full grown quilt. That's a win win for me and for the recipient. I'm still lifting you and yours in prayer.

Bonnie,Brookings OR is my old hometown and between the ginormous fire and Bonnie Hunter talking about it, it's no longer a secret little town on the coast of Oregon. I wish I could attend your classes. You'll be fine there with maybe a little smoke. I LOVE brown and pink together. Also appreciate your candidness in how your life is going. I pray for your peace and quiet. I also pray for your brother's peace as he deals with that monster, cancer. As we used to say a long time ago, Keep on Truckin. Hugs, Polly Blank

Would LOVE the tutorial/pattern for that cute block! Any help always welcome!! And THANK YOU...SO VERY MUCH!!! I didn't comment yesterday because there were so many others, but I, too, want to lift you and your family up in prayer. You have so much going in your life, you give so much and you are always smiling for everyone. Please don't let the negative people get you down...your star shines too bright to be dimmed by them.

Bonnie you have the gift of joy and happiness and i hope you never lose it. it's that joy that makes unhappy people crazy. don't listen to them, they probably wrote a bunch of sad, mean messages to others that day. we all love you and appreciate you. i would love a tutorial for that block. it's so cute! i need to send you a picture of my "box kite" quilt. i didn't copy the pattern down but just copied it out of my head. i thought "mmmmm, looks a bit not like a box kite" but i liked the block so continued on.the quilt came out so cute and i love it. it wasn't until about 6 months later that it dawned on me that i'd reversed the color placement on the corner blocks! lucky mistake!!!! remember, your joy is a gift. don't let anyone take it from you. your blog is a bright spot in all of our lives.

The tutorial would be great when time allows. Thank you so much for writing your blog everyday. It's the one thing I do first thing in the morning--sit down with my morning coffee and read your newest adventure. I'm in awe of all that you accomplish every day. You're such an inspiration to us all. It hurts my heart to know that others would willingly inflict their unkind thoughts on you. My mother always told me, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything." I have tried to live by that mantra and I pray every day to "Always be kind." I think that must be your motto, too, since it seems that everything you do in life is for others out of the kindness and goodness of your heart. Bless you. I send continued prayers for your brother and all of your family, who daily go through this ordeal with insidious cancer.

I would love a tutorial of this block. You always put them together in such a slick method. Still working on garlick knot. Love the way you constructed that block. Love what you do for the quilting community even though dealing with some people is not easy! Sending hugs your way!

Good morning Bonnie, i receive your email every day a day later for some reason. Just want you to know that i would love a block pattern . IT is so pretty! Am working on the Wonky star blocks and loving iT.Glad you was able to make that ride i know iT did wonders for the soul!Happy quilting, Yoka Bazilewich

Good morning, so glad you had a pleasant day with the hubster. I felt so bad for you yesterday with all that you are dealing with, and for someone to be so unkind to you really ruffled my feathers. All I wanted to do was {{(HUG}}) you. You are the me that I wish I could be. Have said it before, but you are my morning sunshine. You are my inspiration each day.YES on the new tutorial when you can.Prayers continue for your family. Give Sadie a hug for me and please keep the first one for yourself. Thank you for all that you do for others (us).Fingers crossed for Quilt Cam.Anne

Read you blog almost everyday along with Jo Kramer's. Enjoy both, sorry to hear about some negative comments given to you. Prayers for your brother. Please post tutorial on this block. I do shirts and this foursome block looks great fun to do. Love the simplicity. Thank you.

A tutorial for that pattern would be wonderful, I am very new to quilting but I am hooked and also love that it can give some calm to a very troubled Heart. Thank you so much for your blog and all the teaching you do, I truly appreciate it and wish people would realize what you are doing and not judge or criticize. You have way more supporters than critcs, try not to let them get you down or change the person that you are. Thank you so much for all you do.

A tutorial for that pattern would be wonderful, I am very new to quilting but I am hooked and also love that it can give some calm to a very troubled Heart. Thank you so much for your blog and all the teaching you do, I truly appreciate it and wish people would realize what you are doing and not judge or criticize. You have way more supporters than critcs, try not to let them get you down or change the person that you are. Thank you so much for all you do.

A tutorial for that pattern would be wonderful, I am very new to quilting but I am hooked and also love that it can give some calm to a very troubled Heart. Thank you so much for your blog and all the teaching you do, I truly appreciate it and wish people would realize what you are doing and not judge or criticize. You have way more supporters than critcs, try not to let them get you down or change the person that you are. Thank you so much for all you do.

Love the block. Would love tutorial for it. Glad we can cheer you up some. Way to give back to you for all the cheer you bring to my life. Unfortunately there are always those people who want to bring others down😫 Don't know why.

Just to say you are an inspiration!! Love your life stories and sending [prayers for your family. Just know there are many people out there who have no sense at all-keep your spirits up and enjoy life. Thank you thank you for all you do and share.

A tutorial would be great. Those blocks look like fun! Thanks for the offer for a tutorial. I hope your days will be a bit brighter in the near future with regards to your brother and family. I so enjoy reading your blog and thumbs down to all the negative comments. Hang in there Miss Bonnie. You bring sunshine to lots of people.

Block directions & tutorial? Yes, please. Looks like everyone is voting the same way. And there advice is good. You know how to do what you do. You know what works. You know we love it! Keep it up, Friend. We will always be here for you, and following your Quilty life!